PT  - JOURNAL ARTICLE
AU  - E M Jones
AU  - N M Brown
AU  - J E Harvey
AU  - D S Reeves
AU  - A P MacGowan
TI  - Three cases of meningococcal pneumonia.
AID  - 10.1136/thx.52.10.927
DP  - 1997 Oct 01
TA  - Thorax
PG  - 927--929
VI  - 52
IP  - 10
4099  - http://thorax.bmj.com/content/52/10/927.short
4100  - http://thorax.bmj.com/content/52/10/927.full
SO  - Thorax1997 Oct 01; 52
AB  - Three cases of pneumonia due to Neisseria meningitidis are described. In all three cases the organism was isolated only from blood cultures, but in the presence of good clinical and radiological evidence of pneumonia. The isolates belonged to three different serogroups: B type 2b, C, and Y. The cases illustrate the fact that N meningitidis can cause pneumonia and that culture of blood plays an important part in the diagnosis. Clinically there is nothing to differentiate meningococcal pneumonia from other causes of community acquired pneumonia. Predisposing factors include aspiration, immunosuppression, influenza, and adenovirus infections. When diagnosed, pneumonia due to N meningitidis should be notified and prophylaxis given as for meningitis or septicaemia.